Water-feed controller for steam-boilers.



L. S. WATRES. 4 WATER FEED CONTROLLER FOB. STEAM BOILERS.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 24, 1911.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

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LEWIS S. WATRES, 0F SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR- TO HULL MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY, OF SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION.

WATER-FEED CONTROLLER FOR STEAM-BOILERS.

counterpoised vessel or column so connected,

to the steam and water spaces of a steam boiler that the quantity of water in saidv vessel or column varies with changes in the level of the water in the boiler, and in controlling, by the action of the movable column, the flow of a fluid from a source of fluid supply to suitable controlling means, as

' for instance, a means for supplying water to the boiler or a means for sounding an alarm as the water in the boiler falls below proper working level.

In an embodiment of the invention, shown in the accompanylng drawing, controlling the feed water supply of a boiler, the movable water column is held and vertically guided in a bracket frame attached to the side of a boiler, the lower end of the column being supported on a weighted lever. A connection between the water space of the boiler and the lower part of the column is provided, and similarly a connection be tween the steam space of the boiler and the upper part of the column, said connections being suitably and preferably composed of small flexible metal tubes so as not to ma t-erially interfere with the free movement of the column. A. steam pipe from the boiler to a diaphragm controlling a valve in the feed water supply pipe is provided with a suitable valve actuated by an extension or arm carried by the column at its upper end.

Figure 1 is a view showing the apparatus complete, and Fig. 2 is a modification in the construction of the pipe of the fluid controlling the feed water valve.

The main actuating part of the device consists of a column or vessel a of any suit able shape and size having at its upper en 1 a guide rod 5 fitted to slide in a hole in the upper branch of a bracket frame 0 and at Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 24, 1911.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

Serial No. 610,561.

its lower end supported by the end of one of the arms of a lever 01, pivoted at e to the lower branch of the frame, the other arm of the lever being provided with an adjustable weight f. The bracket frame 0 is by pipe unions g, 9 connected to the side of the boiler, shown at h; from the lower pipe connection 9 extends a small metal pipe 2', preferably copper, connected at its other end to the lower part of the column (4, thus placing the column in communication with the water space of the boiler, and the steam space of the boiler is in communication with the upper part of the column through a pipe j, similar to i, both pipes being ofsufiicient lengthand coiled helically around the column to be adequately flexible not to interfere with the movements of the column. From any suitable part of the steam space or steam connection of the boiler extends a pipe 7c provided with a valve Z whose operating arm or lever m' is controlled by a spring 1% to close the valve and lies in the path of movement of a stud 0 adjustably held by an arm p attached 'to the upper end of the column. This pipe 70 supplies the necessary. power for operating the instrument or device to be actuated when changes occur in the height of the water in the boiler, the device as before described, here shown, being a feed water valve (1 in a water supply pipe 1' and provided with an operating diaphragm contained in a casing 8 to the underside of which the pipe is is connected, whereby steam is admitted to the underside of the diaphragm chamber to open the valve 9 when the steam valve Z is opened. The water column or vessel a is shown having an enlarged shallow central portion 15, in which fluctuations in the height of the water therein occur. The height of the portion 6 provides for variation in the working levels of the water. This construction provides for considerable changes in weight of water for comparatively slight variations of the height of the water in the column and keeps the capacity of the column low, at the same time aficrding a convenient arrangement for the coils of the pipes 41 and 7' around the reduced parts of the column, thus providing a compact, sensitive and efiective device of this character.

The water in the column will always be on the same level as that ofthe water in the boiler and when the water is at its mean operative level the coum'er-weight is set to just balance the coltnnn a, as shown in the drawing. As the water level falls in the boiler and column. the weight 7' preponderates, the colunm a rising, and as said column rises the water in it lowers and its weight correspondingly decreases adding to the elfectiveness of the primary prepondennce of the counter weight, so the valve Z is quickly opened and water caused to be fed to the boiler for a slight fall from mean normal water level. l l hen the water rises in the boiler to proper working level it also rises in the column su'l'liciently for the weight of the column to preponderate; the water in the column then quickly rising above mean level causes the column to suddenly fall slightly below mean position, the spring n of the valve Z causing the steam to be cut off from the feed water controller. The high and low levels of the 'ater in. the boiler are thus kept within narrow limits.

As shown in Fig. 1., the pipe 70 will by condensation of the actuating steam become filled with water and tend to prevent reaction of the diaphragm of the feed water controller when the valve Z is closed; and to relieve this pipe of water a small hole a may he provided through which the water may discharge. Of course, there will be a slight discharge of steam through this hole when steam is admitted to the feed water controller but this will not interfere with the proper working of the apparatus and the waste of steam will be immaterial. This feature may be eliminated, if thought objectionable, by providing the pipe Z: with an enlargement or chamber o just above the valve Z, (Fig. 2) its capacity being suflicient, when the steam in it condenses zfter the valve Z is closed, to hold, or more than hold, the water in the controller 8, which will be drawn up into this chamber '21 and so permit reaction of the diaphragm of the controller. v'hen the valve Z is again opened the water in chamber Q) will fall through it into the boiler.

I claim:

1. In a boiler attachment, pipes connected to the steam and water spaces of the boiler,

a bracket frame supported by said pipes, a water column having an upwardly extending guide rod fitted to slide in the upper branch of the bracket, a counterpoised lever pivoted to the lower branch of the bracket and supporting the column, a flexible pipe between the pipe connected to the steam space of the boiler and the upper part of the column, a flexible pipe between the pipe connected to the water space of the boiler and the lower part of the column, a steam pipe extending from the pipe connected to the steam space of the boiler, a valve in said pipe, means carried by the column adapted to open the valve when the water in the boiler falls and the column rises, a feed *ater valve and a diaphragm controller therefor to which the steam pipe connects, and a chamber connected to the pipe above the steam valve adapted to hold the water of comlensat-ion of the steam when the steam valve is closed.

In a boiler attachment, pipes connected to the steam and water spaces of the boiler. a bracket frame supported by said pipes, a water column having an enlarged shallow central portion and provided with an upwardly extending guide rod fitted to slide in the upper branch of the bracket, a counterpoised. lever pivoted to the lower branch of the bracket and supporting the colu1nn,flexible pipe extending from the pipe connected to the steam space of the boiler to and heli cally coiled around the upper part of the column, a flexible pipe extending from the pipe connected to the water space of the boiler to and helieally coiled around the lower part of the column, a steam pipe extending from the pipe connected to the steam space of the boiler, a valve in said pipe, and means carried by the column adapted to open the valve when the water in the boiler falls and the column rises.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

LEWIS S. VVATRES. ld itnesses JAMES H. DUNHAM, DAVID LANDAU.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

